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Souness: ‘Ray was the best senior pro I ever had. He was a class act’

Graeme Souness

Gifted, funny, strong, a leader and a true gent — Ray Wilkins had it all and world is a lesser place for his passing

I shed a tear on Wednesday when my wife told me that Ray Wilkins had died. I can’t remember ever being moved like that by the death of a footballer whom I have known. But then again Ray was no ordinary footballer. Above all, he was no ordinary man.

Don’t take my word for it, take my son’s. James is at university in London and a few weeks ago went to see Chelsea play West Brom at Stamford Bridge. He was on the same Tube carriage on the District Line as Ray and, for a while, he watched him. For most of the journey, Ray chatted happily with the supporters, listening respectfully to what they had to say, offering his own opinions, sharing a joke.…

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